International Chinese Language Day 2024 and Chinese cultural experience activities.

HANU - On April 15, 2024, Hanoi University organized a Vietnamese-Chinese cultural exchange program, "International Chinese Language Day 2024". Guests attending the program included Mr. Trinh Dai Vi, Education Counselor, Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, and Ms. Tran Thuy Duong, Principal of Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students. Representing Hanoi University were Vice Rector Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong, along with faculty members from the International Cooperation Office, the Chinese Language Department, and the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University, as well as a large number of students and high school students specializing in Chinese (Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students).

In her opening remarks, Vice Rector Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong shared: Chinese is recognized as one of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations. In 2010, the United Nations decided to designate April 20th as International Chinese Language Day. Since then, the United Nations and many countries around the world have annually organized activities to celebrate International Chinese Language Day, creating a bridge for friendly exchange between people of different languages.

In Vietnam, the Chinese language is increasingly gaining importance in the education system. At Hanoi University, the Chinese language program, across its various training systems, enrolls approximately 400-450 students annually; the admission scores for the regular Chinese language program are also very high. This indicates a wide-open labor market for those proficient in Chinese. China is Vietnam's largest trading partner, so the job market for Chinese-speaking personnel is always abundant. Vice Rector Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong emphasized that, in the current context, besides mastering Chinese, further understanding of Chinese language and culture is essential. The Confucius Institute at Hanoi University has made significant contributions to the university, not only in teaching Chinese but also through various programs aimed at promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and China. On this occasion, Vice Rector Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and the Confucius Institute for always creating opportunities to organize interesting activities for students, and wished them many meaningful experiences during their participation in the program at Hanoi University today.

Speaking at the event, Education Counselor Zheng Dawei of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam stated that since 2010, the International Chinese Language Day has been held annually around the world during the Guyu Festival. Through rich cultural and artistic activities, it promotes understanding and appreciation of the Chinese language and writing system among people of various countries. This year, the theme for International Chinese Language Day is " Chinese Language: Building Bridges of Mutual Learning and Civilization ." The exchange and cooperation between China and Vietnam is currently developing strongly in all fields. During his visit to Vietnam last December, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong declared their commitment to building a community of shared future between China and Vietnam, a strategically significant event that paints a bright picture of comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Vietnam in the new era.

Mr. Trinh Dai Vi affirmed that Hanoi University is not only a leading institution in the field of Chinese language education in Vietnam but also one of the higher education institutions with the largest number of Chinese students studying in Vietnam. Expressing gratitude for Hanoi University's contributions to Chinese language teaching and Sino-Vietnamese cultural exchange, Mr. Trinh Dai Vi pledged that the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam will continue to fully support International Chinese Language Day and Hanoi University's Chinese language teaching and research activities in the future.

Speaking at the program, Ms. Tran Thuy Duong – Principal of Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students – stated that the cultural exchange between Vietnam and China has been promoted at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students through many extracurricular activities organized annually. Students in the Chinese language specialization program at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students have a passion and love for the Chinese language and culture. Therefore, participating in today's program at Hanoi University is an opportunity for them to expand their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture, and to further appreciate the uniqueness and rich traditions of this culture. Ms. Tran Thuy Duong believes that the students of the Chinese language specialization program at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students will become ambassadors spreading their passion for and understanding of the Chinese language, culture, and people to other young people; contributing to strengthening the lasting friendship between the two countries.

The 2024 "International Chinese Language Day" is organized by the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University in collaboration with the Center for Language Cooperation and Exchange between China and Foreign Countries (CLEC), Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Normal University Publishing Group, and the Executive Committee of the Youth Union - Student Association of the Chinese Language Department, Hanoi University. It features a variety of engaging activities such as: Chinese cuisine, ink painting, Chinese paper cutting and decoration, Vietnamese Ao Dai and Hanfu costumes, calligraphy, and lucky charm making. Through this Vietnamese-Chinese cultural experience event, the aim is to provide opportunities for Vietnamese and international students, and those who love the Vietnamese and Chinese languages ​​and cultures, to experience the traditional cultures of each country, strengthening the bond and mutual understanding between the people of the two nations.

Here are some photos from the event: